Didn't register to vote? There might still be time

If you missed last week's voter registration deadline, there is still hope for you!

This week, a state-authorized "grace period" gives Illinois voters until Tuesday to update their registration for the coming election.

The presidential primary has voters excited and local races are creating interest, too, says McHenry County Clerk Kathy Schultz:

"We expect a big turnout this year, more than we've seen in quite awhile."

If you're a new voter, have changed your name, or have moved since the last election, you have until the close of business hours Tuesday to register at your county clerk's office. In McHenry County, that is 667 Ware Road, Woodstock, (815) 334-4242; in Kane County, it's 719 S. Batavia Ave. (Route 31) Bldg. B, Geneva, (630) 232-5950.

Grace-period registrants must show two forms of ID, including one with their legal name and current address.

McHenry County registrants may vote there or take home an absentee ballot. Kane County registrants are encouraged to vote when they register, says Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham. He discourages absentee voting, since those ballots might not be returned in time.

If you will be out of the county on Election Day, are physically unable to go to the polls, are a sequestered juror, an election judge, or a religious holiday observer … then you may qualify to vote "absentee." Absentee ballots may be requested in person or by mail at both county clerks' offices. They must be completed and returned by Jan. 31.

Voters who can't get to the polls on Election Day may still vote early in-person, if they can prove a valid reason to do so. Qualified early voters will be allowed to cast ballots until Jan. 31 in Kane County or until Feb. 4 in McHenry County. Call or check the Web site of each county clerk's office for hours and locations. Details are posted at www.co.mchenry.il.us or at www.co.kane.il.us/COC.

Be an election judge:ŒBoth counties need more election judges to work on "Super Tuesday," Feb. 5. In this election, Schultz said, Grafton Township will have 9 new precincts to serve the growing population. Some former precincts have been "split," and their voters may be assigned to a new polling place for this election. With four to five judges needed per precinct, a lot of new positions must be filled, Schultz said. Kane County also needs election judges.

"We always need back-up judges, and we need bi-lingual judges, too," Cunningham told me. "With our population, there's always a big need. We never seem to have enough."

Election judges must be U.S. citizens and should live in the county where they serve. Those interested in computers are needed to help with the new electronic voting machines.

This year, Illinois legislators passed a new law allowing high school and college students, who are under voting age, to serve as election judges if they complete the proper training. High school juniors or seniors with a 3.0 grade average (on a 4.0 scale) must have written approval from their school principal and a legal guardian. College students must be in good standing with a 3.0 average or better. Students will receive an excused absence from school and a little pocket cash, too.

The job pays $120 for work on Election Day from 5:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. or later, Schultz said. Judges who complete a two-hour training receive $20, plus another $10 for set- up the night before. The new law authorizes an extra $20 per judge but the legislature has not appropriated money to pay for it, Schultz said.

Huntley High School supports the idea, said assistant principal Sharon Hartman.

"We will be glad to do whatever we can to help. It sounds like a good experience for our students and a public service, too."

New precincts:ŒNine new precincts in Grafton Township should help relieve voter overload in eight others, Schultz said.

Grafton 23 and 24 have been split from Grafton 16; Grafton 25 contains parts of Grafton 16 and 20; Grafton 26 and 27 came from Grafton 15; Grafton 28 from Grafton 14; Grafton 29 from Grafton 22; Grafton 31 from Grafton 21; and Grafton 30 from Grafton 13 and 17.

The township's highest voter concentrations remain in Grafton 20 (approx. 1,290) and Grafton 15 (approx. 1,320). Polling places for all precincts are listed on the county's Web site, and new maps will be displayed at each polling place, Schultz said. Voters were told of the change late last summer, she said, and will receive another notice before Feb. 4.

"We have ordered postcards, and they will be going out to anyone whose precinct has changed."

Tax talk:ŒGrafton Township Assessor Bill Ottley will be the guest speaker at this month's Senior Coffee from 10 to 11 a.m. Jan. 28. All area seniors are invited to this free event, hosted by the Huntley Area Public Library. Light refreshments and a question-and-answer session will follow the program in the community room at MidAmerica Bank, 13300 Route 47.

To register, call or visit the library's reference desk at 11000 Ruth Road. The phone number is (847) 669-5386.

Sign up for Huntley Expo:ŒBooth reservations are now being taken for the 2008 Huntley Home & Business Expo, set for March 1-2, at Huntley High School.

Sponsored by the Huntley Area Chamber of Commerce, the free-admission event draws thousands of visitors each year, says chamber president Jim Henley.

"It was down a little bit last year because of the snowstorm," he said. "We hope to have about 6,000 people coming through this year."

Grafton Township will run a free shuttle between Sun City's Prairie Lodge and the Expo on Harmony Road, and will hold a food drive at the Expo to benefit the food pantry. Exciting door prizes will be awarded, Henley said, including a $500 gift certificate and a GPS system.

Booths are selling fast, but some prime spots are still available. Call Cathy DeQuaker at (262) 723-8220.

• Send your Huntley-area news to huntleynews@ameritech.net or call (847) 669-0848.